Is my setup idea good enough? Asking for suggestions and corrections (Newbie here)
Hello, I'm trying to setup a IEM and backing track playback rack based around the Behringer XAIR-18 and would like to hear some suggestions.
My budget is very limited and my goal is to make this as portable and simple as possible.
We are a 4 piece metal band but we rely on backing tracks to give more weight to our songs live (ambience sounds, weird effects, synths). My rationale is:
"If we depend on backing tracks for our show, we might as well use a laptop for all the sound processing, including our instruments.
That way we don't need to carry around with pedalboards and that kind of stuff, we can automate everything. We simply plug into the mixer and we are good to go."
For now, I'm considering going with wired IEMs to keep the cost down and have as much options for IEM mixes as we can.
This is the basic idea:
- Macbook Air M4 16GB RAM
- Reaper running amp sims and voice effects (Neural DSP, Tonex, etc...)
- Reaper to create a shared stereo IEM mix + click using the XAIR USB 3-4 channels
- XAIR18 as an interface for our instruments to the plugins
- GTR 1 and GTR 2 to the Hi-Z inputs of the X-AIR
- Direct box for the bass
- XAIR18 to create a MIX for FOH
- XAIR to create custom MONO IEM mixes (Aux outputs)
- Behringer P2 IEM amps for monitoring
I've tested this setup in my house and rehearsals and the latency in the IEMs is actually pretty good, almost not noticeable.
Now, I've some questions:
Drums and IEM cheating:
- To keeps thing simple, I would prefer not to mic the drums live. My idea is that everyone but the drummer hears a pre-recorded drum track on the IEMs. While the drummer can have a custom IEM mix without it, but would he be able to hear his playing well enough?
- If the above is not a good idea, I guess a basic condenser mic close to the drums could be good enough?
- If the venue has their own drum mics, could we ask for a drum only mix so we can route it to the drummer IEMs?
Stereo IEM Mix:
I'm planning on using the IEM stereo mix from the DAW using the XAIR USB 3/4 channels and use the headphone output of the X-AIR for it to save AUX busses. Since this mix is intended to be shared by most of the band, I want to find the best way to multiply this signal for at least 4 people.
- Can I use a Jack to XLR cable in stereo from the X-AIR headphone output to a passive XLR 1in-4out splitter?
- (or) Can I use two AUX busses from the X-AIR based on the USB3/4 channels and then use a custom XLR Stereo combinator cable to a passive XLR 1in-4out splitter? (I modified a Y splitter cable so I can combine two mono signals into a single stereo XLR)
I've tested option 2 at home and it works well, but I'm not sure if this is the ideal way or if it will work with passive splitters.
I know the XLR will be unbalanced if I force it to carry a stereo signal, but the venues where we play are not that big so I hope there are not going to be many noise issues. Worst case scenario we use the MONO IEM mixes from the AUX busses on the X-Air.
FOH Questions:
- Am I being too optimistic thinking any venue would let us simply send the main L/R outputs from the X-AIR to FOH and control our own mix and eq?
EDIT: Forgot to mention that our FOH is stereo and mono compatible. Most cases it will be mono.
Please feel free roast my idea as hard as you like, I'm here to learn. Thanks!